Could it be? yes, another ick question....sorry, i just need help.

[sqwee28]

I've searched this forum endlessly and got some pretty good ideas. Heres my situation. I have a powder blue tang in my main tank, so far he has been doing pretty good minus a few quirks here and there. A few days ago, i saw that he was getting ick, i know ick loves tangs so im not that suprised. Its isnt that bad...yet. Im going to try the garlic method I've learned from searching the site, but do i still need to move him into the quarantine tank (i have LR so i can't treat the main tank w/ meds)which already contains all of my other fish due to various reasons. Right now, the only other fish w/ my powder is a small mandarin goby i've had for months and has never had ick.Also, one more thing, im going to soak my tangs food in garlic...but the thing is, he'll only eat 1 thing. Its that seaweed select green algae. i've tried spirulina flakes, but he won't go after them. he'll only eat things on the clip....and i know these guys need a varied diet of greens. Any suggestions? the seaweed select has been doing alright, hes active and swims around all day and grazes at his leisure...
thanks!

 

[npaladen]

I am not qualified to answer your question about ick, I have never tried the treatment you are trying, ubt about the food. If he will only eat off of the clip you could try putting some spinach or lettuse on there, and I believe most greens are supposed to be all right but those are the only ones I have tried. He might go for those as long as you clip it.
HTH

 

[beth]

Garlic soaked food is helpful, but it is not a cure-all for ick. Any fish that is in a tank where ick is present will be exposed to ick whether they show signs or not.
If you get garlic extract from the grocery store or a health food store [liquid form] you can soak the Seaweed in this. There is also a product now that is sold in the hobby that is a garlic extract. Be sure to buy a product that is garlic only--no other additives.
You really need to setup a hospital tank and treat both tang and manderian. Use hyposalinity method with is sure proof and not harmful to fish. Post back if you need additional help with hyposalinity method.
[ September 23, 2001: Message edited by: Beth ]

 

[pufferlover]

Kent Marine now offers a garlic extract. Ask your lfs to get it for you.